Michele Martin Bossley

Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

There are more and more young adult books being written today with sports themes, but I don't see many with an equestrian theme. Orca Book Publishers author Michele Martin Bossley's JUMPER offers just that. Aimed at a younger tween audience, JUMPER presents an adventure centered on the sport of show jumping.

Reese has found her true love - a great horse named Dublin. Their personalities complement one another and with practice show more they may have a real shot at the competition. Unfortunately, Reese doesn't own Dublin. The horse's owners are selling her, leaving Reese to "borrow" a much less desirable horse named Boots. Prospects of winning any competition fade away as it becomes obvious that there is no chemistry between rider and mount.

Reese's parents don't offer much hope that they can afford to purchase a better horse for their daughter. Then along comes Reese's grandfather with a possible solution for the problem. The military owns land nearby and is auctioning some wild horses that have been living on the land. Grandfather suggests that the auction prices might be low enough for Reese to purchase her own horse.

There is a beautiful red horse in the herd. Reese immediately knows she's the one. When another bidder outbids them the real adventure begins. It turns out that the new owner has other plans for the horses he purchased, and Reese is determined to put a stop to those plans.

At only a little over 140 pages and written at an easy-to-read level, JUMPER is sure to be popular with horse enthusiasts. The characters are surprisingly well-developed and the action includes examples of show jumping, as well as fast-paced attempts to stop the bad guys. JUMPER is a fun, quick read. show less

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Hunting is popular with some, but most who hunt do so for the sport and end up making use of the animals they kill for food and the occasional mounted trophy. This is not true of poachers. They are out for one thing and one thing only - MONEY!

Robyn, Nick, and Trevor are amateur sleuths, and when they hear about the discovery of an unexplained dead bear in a nearby woods, they are on the case. The odd thing about the bear's show more remains is that its gall bladder is missing. It appears that the killer had expert knowledge about the anatomy of bears because the gall bladder was removed very carefully.

Being interested in the environment and the survival of endangered animals, the three teens are anxious to find out who is responsible for the senseless killing. Using their observation skills and boldly asking questions, they track down three men from Virginia who seem to be likely suspects. Little do they know that when they begin digging deeper, they will find a very unlikely person connected to the crime.

BEAR MARKET is a fast-paced, who-dun-it type story. At just over 100 pages, it is excellent for reluctant readers. The subject matter involving illegal hunting and the preservation of endangered animals should also appeal to readers looking for a quick read. show less

Reviewed by Emylee for TeensReadToo.com

Best friends Robin, Nick, and Trevor never planned on becoming detectives. But when several school lunches, and even more importantly, a signed copy of a rare Wayne Gretzy, go missing, they leap into action and begin sleuthing.

What starts out as simple mystery solving turns into an all-consuming passion for the three young Holmes'. Their homework and other school obligations are put on the back burner, and soon they become completely swept away in their show more quest to solve the mystery -- and catch the perpetrator.

This novel is an easy read for most middle schoolers, but it provides a lot of entertainment in a fast-paced manner. An excellent choice for students who are reluctant to pick up books. show less

I really didnt think it was all that good.